WILL IT BE RAHUL OR GAMBHIR?
Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan obviously would come first. K.L. Rahul based on current form. Then there is Gautam Gambhir, someone who is trying to fight and stay on the radar. Those are the four you would be currently looking at because you would ideally go on current form.
— W.V. RAMAN FORMER INDIAN BATSMAN Viru has to feature as one of the three openers, I strongly feel. During the IPL, he was in unbelievable touch. My first-choice opener is Vijay. He is absolutely on the top. So my favourites are Vijay, Viru and Shikhar. An aggressive opener in Australia is a must.
— SURENDRA BHAVE FORMER NATIONAL SELECTOR
Dashing opener Virender Sehwag has not played a Test match in over a year. On Tuesday, when the national selectors meet here to finalize the squad for the much-awaited tour of Australia (four Tests), the Delhi batsman and his myriad fans will know if he will ever again step out to bat for India in white flannels.
The 36-year-old averages 47 Down Under with an impressive strike-rate of 73.65 with two centuries and four fifties in the 10 matches he has played on three tours there. While the numbers speak volumes of his ability to assert himself on the opposition, his inclusion will be an emotional one, banking
largely on hope and reputation. Contesting for the spot of a reserve opener, as Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan are expected to be automatic choices, Sehwag faces competition from his old friend Gautam Gambhir and young but hugely talented Lokesh Rahul.
The Karnataka batsman has been a prolific run-getter in domestic cricket and averages a staggering 51.21 from 27 firstclass games.
He struck 185 and 130 in the just concluded Duleep Trophy final in Delhi in front of national selectors Vikram Rathour and Saba Karim. Another opener in the fray is the consistent Robin Uthappa, who like Rahul had a productive year.
Former India stumper and chairman of selectors, Kiran More felt Rahul should get his maiden call-up to the national side. “He is in very good form and has been very consistent. He has scored lot of runs and showed very good temperament. He deserves a spot in India’s squad.”
Another area of debate is going to be the second wicketkeeper’s slot, which is expected to be a tussle between Wriddhiman Saha and Naman Ojha. While the former is the best bet behind the stumps, Ojha has been splendid with the bat.
During India A’s tour to Australia, he remained not out twice, aggregating a staggering 430 in two matches. More felt that Saha must be picked over Ojha, as he was first part of England squad but got injured midway.
On Monday, Australia suf- fered a 365-run loss to Pakistan in UAE. Their inability to bat against the spinners was exposed again and former Indian selector Venkatapathy Raju, who was part of the 199192 tour, believed India should not hesitate to include three spinners in the squad.
“It is going to be a long tour and you need specialist spinners to do the job. We have sent that pitches in Australia are not as quick as they used to be. We must play to our strengths.” With R.Ashwin and R.Jadeja being likely choices it remains to be seen if the selectors pick wrist spinner Karn Sharma, Amit Mishra or left-arm spinners Pragyan Ojha or Axar Patel.